Rochester region's unemployment rises to 9.1%

The Rochester area economy declined in January for the second consecutive month, as unemployment rose and the area lost private-sector jobs, the state Department of Labor reported Tuesday.

The unemployment rate was 9.1 percent in January, up from 8.7 percent a year ago and 8 percent in December. The metro area includes Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties.

Data in the report are not seasonally adjusted. The most valid comparison with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, the Labor Department noted.

Statewide, the unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, compared with 9.1 percent in January 2012 and 8.2 percent in December. Some 898,600 people were unemployed statewide in January, compared with 788,300 in December and 868,400 a year ago.

The number of unemployed in Rochester in January was 47,500, compared with 45,100 in January 2012 and 41,500 in December. Some 474,200 people were employed here in January, compared with 476,000 in January 2012 and with 478,900 in December.

Area unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted, were:

Monroe County—8.6 percent, up from 8.2 percent a year ago and 7.7 percent in December;

Genesee County—9.5 percent, compared with 9.4 percent in January 2012 and 8.2 percent in December;

Livingston County—10.4 percent, up from 10.1 percent a year ago and 8.5 percent in December;

Ontario County—9 percent, unchanged from January 2012 and up from 7.5 percent in December;

Orleans County—12.4 percent, compared with 10.8 percent in January 2012 and 10.9 percent in December; and

Wayne County—10.5 percent, up 9.7 percent a year ago and from 8.9 percent in December.

The jobless rate in the Buffalo-Niagara region was 9.6 percent in January, compared with 9.1 percent in January 2012. The unemployment rate in Syracuse was 9.8 percent in January, up from 9.5 percent a year ago, not seasonally adjusted.

Last week the Department of Labor reported a slight increase in the number of non-farm jobs and a decline in the number of private-sector jobs in Rochester. The region was one of four upstate with private-sector job losses from January 2012 to January this year.

What You're Saying

michael thornton at 8:40:07 PM on 3/12/2013

But, but the talking heads and media outlets are all crowing about the great national jobs numbers! I have repeatedly said that the jobs numbers are mostly smoke and mirrors and that jobs were not plentiful.

GOP ideas of austerity will take a major tool on local job... Read More >

But, but the talking heads and media outlets are all crowing about the great national jobs numbers! I have repeatedly said that the jobs numbers are mostly smoke and mirrors and that jobs were not plentiful.

GOP ideas of austerity will take a major tool on local jobs. When RIT loses almost $5 million and UR loses $25 million there will be a jobs price to pay locally in the months to come. When government cuts its budget, it's not the wealthy or well-to-do that are harmed, it's the job seeker and middle class that will bear the brunt of this next batch of bad financial news....as usual. < close